I have only been to one other boardwalk, the one at Coney Island, where I enjoyed the sea otters at the Aquarium and the hot dogs and waffle fries at Nathan's. Otherwise, it was kinda grimy. But Mama and the Bud had been to O.C. two years ago for competition, when I'd stayed home with feverish Sis, and enjoyed themselves; they wanted to share it with us.
I knew to take it easy, doctor's orders on clear liquids only and not too much walking. I had a pina colada Polish water ice which was mostly sugar and delicious. And took many breaks--we also only walked two blocks! It was delightful. The beach was crowded but not packed, as was the boardwalk, with its nice wide wooden walkway and line of quirky shops. There was Johnson's popcorn, Manco & Manco pizza (with a long line), Shriver's fudge and taffy, Freilinger's fudge and taffy, softserve ice cream place, Polish water ice place, Taylor pork roll place, curly fries place, the kite place. And we stopped off to browse through many of them. The candy places were such fun--bins of taffy, cases of fudge, assorted colorful lollipops, and tubs of "penny" candy. Plus all manner of knicknacks, mostly beach based. Sis and I got henna from one of the shops, little mandala-like designs on our hands. And Bud got a set of nine-chain like rope tricks, which he demonstrated on the beach.
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| Candy presses |
Then we played putt-putt. Lots of putt-putt places to choose from--Congo, pirate, medieval, haunted. Bud chose Congo's Lost City, which was quick and fun. And then he got a hole-in-one on the last "free game" hole and won a game! Which they went straight to play while I sat and admired the water, the kites, the sky, the beach . . . and then the abdominal pain hit and our little excursion took a bad turn. Still, it was fun while it lasted and I'd like to go back.
Next year for Memorial Day . . . .
